A Nigerian icon who hit headlines while playing actively in the Italian Serie A, Christian Ndubuisi Obodo has thrown his weight fully behind home-based players to make a huge impact in the Super Eagles, Sports247 reports.
Speaking in the wake of the historic outing by six players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) in the Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Ghana at the 2025 Unity Cup in London, Obodo, who also played for clubs in Geeece and Cyprus, opined that it was just the beginning of greater things for home grown talent in the national team.
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Obodo, who starred for Perugia, Fiorentina, Totino, Udinese and Lecce during his time in Italy, declared, “I think the home-based players made a great impact. So, giving one or two or three of them a chance is always good. In the end, they proved themselves. That’s the most important thing.”
The former midfield dazzler, who was fondly called ‘Bundle of Skills’ while growing up in Warri, Delta State and first starred with Plateau United of Jos in the domestic league, went on to suggest more opportunities for players from the NPFL, especially in this Saturday’s Unity Cup final against Jamaica.
Obodo advocated, “This is the type of competition that we need in order to get used to ourselves. Despite the short time the coach arrived, we are already seeing something different. They now have the opportunity to play more games and get used to themselves.”
The ex-international ace midfilder then concluded by projecting beyond the 2025 Unity Cup and declared emphatically that home-based players would leave an even bigger impact with the Eagles once they were given more opportunities to prove their mettle.
“They will make a great impact. Starting from the derby game against Ghana, I think they proved themselves, and I hope they continue like that,” enthused Obodo, who scored four goals in 21 games for Nigeria
